ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of the research was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient turnover and the change in patient and medical delay. Methods: Retrospective study was performed in Veszprém County Lung Medical Institute, in Hungary. Between 01.01.2016-31.12.2020 active and chronic inpatient turnover data related to the care of patients with primary lung cancer, changes in patient and medical delay time were examined. Descriptive statistical analyses were applied (mean, standard deviation, absolute and relative frequency). Results: Between 2016 and 2019, total inpatient turnover ranged from 4,535 to 4,282 cases, which decreased to 3,167 in 2020. In the area of active inpatient care, the number of 3,141-3,052 cases decreased to 2,787 in 2020. The number of chronic inpatient care ranged from 1,492 to 1,327, which decreased to 380 cases in 2020. On a monthly basis, the higher number of cases occurred from September to November and until January between 2016 and 2019 (281-438 cases) while in 2020, the data of previous years decreased significantly (197-270 cases). The mean patient delay (62 cases) in the first (I) quarter (before constraints) was 39.34±53.42 days, 37.24±45.69 days in the second (II.) quarter (41 cases), 28.75±33.0 days (44 cases) in the third (III.) quarter, in the fourth (IV.) quarter 47.96±70.2 days (24 cases). The duration of the examination showed a decreasing trend (I.:53.47±36.5;II.:50.54±45.73;III.:48,91±46,44;IV:32±22,41 days). The time from diagnosis to the start of therapy also decreased (I.:19.27±21.61;II.:17.76 ± 17.03;III.:16.8±17.12;IV.:14.33±19.19). Conclusions: Restrictions due to the pandemic show a significant reduction in the number of patients. Patients treated in previous years were diagnosed and treated at the appropriate time. However, our results indicate that some patients have not entered the care system, which may significantly affect the prognosis of their disease.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Morbidity and mortality rates show different patterns in European countries. The aim of the study was to map geographical inequalities in mortality caused by coronavirus (Sars-COV-2) infection in Europe in 2020. Methods: In our research the ’COVID deaths by week, 2020 and 2021’ indicator from ’OECD Health Statistics’ online database was analysed. Mortality data reported for weeks were aggregated, and calculated for 1,000,000 population using the Eurostat database on the population number for 2020. European countries were classified and compared according to their geographical location: Western-European, Eastern-European, Mediterranean and Nordic countries. After a preliminary normality test (Shapiro-Wilk test) single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for comparison. Our analysis was carried out at a 95% probability level (p<0.05). SPSS 25.0 software was used for calculations. Results: In Western Europe, an overall 886, Eastern Europe 826, in Mediterranean region 1,083 and in Northern Europe 463 COVID deaths per 1,000,000 population were reported in 2020. In Europe, Belgium (1,725 deaths/1,000,000 population), Slovenia (1,379 deaths/1,000,000 population) and the United Kingdom (1,331 deaths/1,000,000 population) had the highest registered number of death cases, whereas the lowest numbers recorded were in Norway (84/1,000,000), Finland (102/1,000,000) and Estonia (189/1,000,000). Single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) did not show significant differences among country groups (p=0.119). Conclusions: Our study revealed that overall, the lowest death rates resulting from the coronavirus infection were reported in Northern Europe in proportion to the population. There were no significant differences between the mortality rates of the geographical areas examined.